Documentation 2026-07-08 18:58 UTC to 2026-07-21 15:00 UTC

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3# Background Tasks3# Background Tasks

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5Grok can run commands, subagents, and monitors in the background while the conversation continues. Press `Ctrl+B` to open the tasks pane listing everything currently running, or run `/tasks` for a snapshot in the scrollback; press `Ctrl+G` to demote a running foreground command to the background instead of waiting for it.5Grok can run commands, subagents, and monitors in the background while the conversation continues. Press `Ctrl+B` to open the tasks pane listing everything currently running, or run `/tasks` for a snapshot in the scrollback; press `Ctrl+G` to demote a running foreground command to the background instead of waiting for it. This is separate from the agent’s [todos](/build/features/sessions#todos) (`Ctrl+T` on the agent screen), which track planned multi-step work rather than running processes.

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7## Background commands7## Background commands

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35`/compact [context]` compresses the conversation history to reclaim context window, with optional instructions about what to preserve. Grok also auto-compacts as the context window fills; check usage with `/context` or `/session-info`.35`/compact [context]` compresses the conversation history to reclaim context window, with optional instructions about what to preserve. Grok also auto-compacts as the context window fills; check usage with `/context` or `/session-info`.

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37## Todos

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39For multi-step work, the agent keeps a structured todo list so you can see what is planned, what is in progress, and what is done. Items use statuses pending, in progress, completed, and cancelled (when a step is dropped).

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41On the agent screen, press `Ctrl+T` to view the todo pane. The list is part of the session: resume the same session and the todos return with their last statuses.

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43Todos are separate from [background tasks](/build/features/background-tasks) (`Ctrl+B`), which track long-running commands and monitors.

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37## Housekeeping45## Housekeeping

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39| Command | What it does |47| Command | What it does |

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55| Keys | Action |55| Keys | Action |

56| ---- | ------ |56| ---- | ------ |

57| `Ctrl+T` | Toggle todo pane |57| `Ctrl+T` | Toggle the [todo pane](/build/features/sessions#todos) (agent screen) |

58| `Ctrl+B` | Toggle tasks pane |58| `Ctrl+B` | Toggle the [tasks pane](/build/features/background-tasks) |

59| `Ctrl+;` or `Ctrl+'` | Toggle prompt queue |59| `Ctrl+;` or `Ctrl+'` | Toggle prompt queue |

60| `Ctrl+S` | Open sessions |60| `Ctrl+S` | Open sessions |

61| `Ctrl+L` | Open extensions |61| `Ctrl+L` | Open extensions |